Shloka 1
Vidura’s Message to Dhṛtarāṣṭra: Authorization for Dāna and Public Welfare (विदुरवाक्यम्—दानानुज्ञा)
वैशम्पायनजी कहते हैं--जनमेजय! तदनन्तर वहाँ राजा धृतराष्ट्रसे मिलनेके लिये नारद
vaiśampāyana uvāca— janamejaya! tad-anantaraṁ tatra rājā dhṛtarāṣṭraṁ draṣṭuṁ nāradaḥ parvataḥ mahātapā devalaḥ śiṣyaiḥ saha maharṣiḥ vyāsaś ca anye ca siddhāḥ manīṣiṇaḥ śreṣṭhā munayaḥ samāyayuḥ; teṣāṁ saha paramadharmātmā vṛddhaḥ rājarṣiḥ śatayūpaḥ api upāgamat.
Vaiśampāyana dit : «Ô Janamejaya, ensuite, de nombreux visiteurs vénérables arrivèrent là pour rencontrer le roi Dhṛtarāṣṭra — Nārada, Parvata, le grand ascète Devala, le sage Vyāsa accompagné de ses disciples, ainsi que d’autres siddha accomplis, des voyants avisés et les plus éminents muni. Avec eux vint aussi le vieux rājaṛṣi Śatayūpa, renommé pour sa droiture suprême.»
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse foregrounds dharmic authority: when a ruler enters a phase of withdrawal and moral reckoning, the presence of sages and perfected beings signifies that ethical guidance, austerity, and truth-oriented counsel are essential supports for right living—especially after political catastrophe.
After earlier events, a gathering of eminent sages and accomplished beings arrives to meet Dhṛtarāṣṭra. Nārada, Parvata, Devala, Vyāsa with disciples, and others come together, and the aged, highly righteous royal sage Śatayūpa also arrives with them.